Kevin Durant says Draymond Green punch won't derail Warriors

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Kevin is aware of some of the similarities.

The Brooklyn Nets star forward has beenarachne to watch the leaked video footage of Draymond Green punching Golden State Warriors teammate Jordan Poole. The Warriors locker room has been hurt by the incident.

In the wake of this latest episode, the Warriors are trying to do the same thing they did in the past, which was to go about their business. There is a stark difference between then and now.

"That isn't the same situation," he said. Someone got hit in the face. There is no comparison to that. People say that happens a lot in the NBA. I hadn't seen anything like that before. It happened to me and Draymond a few years ago. It's easy to get through something like that, but I don't know what's going on.

KD said he hasn't spoken to Green who is taking some time away from the team.

Thanks to their shared relationship with multiple members of the Warriors coaching staff, they have built up a bit of a relationship despite never crossing paths as Golden State teammates. It's not at the point where I can text him or call him and talk to him about it.

Everyone is back to normal, according to Durant. Draymond and Jordan played last game. It seems like it's back to normal. Once it gets to that type of stuff, I try to stay away from it. The people in the locker room are the reason for it.

The difference is that the Warriors organization did a lot of things in the days and weeks after the verbal exchange between Green and KD.

The intensity of the incident, along with the uncertainty surrounding KD's pending free agency, hung over Warriors players and coaches throughout the season.

The Warriors have to deal with the same type of internal trouble.

The Warriors will find a way to overcome the latest setbacks, thanks to the inner workings of that locker room. Stephen Curry is universally respected inside and outside the organization for his calm demeanor and ability to unite his group when times are tough, and Kevin Durant knows that what makes the Warriors great is their ability to draw on leadership from a variety of different levels.

"I think the best thing about the Warriors is their slogan, 'Strength in Numbers', that's been their motto for the entire time," said Kevin. It's always been a collaboration with everyone there. There is more than one person trying to gather everyone. I'm pretty sure that he's getting help from his friend, Iguodala. The guys that have been there are assisting him as well.

It's not possible to deal with something like that on your own. Bob is aware of that. I know that from being a part of that group, that they do everything as a collaborative effort, so I'm sure they're all talking internally to see what the best way to move forward.

During a decade and a half in the NBA, he couldn't remember seeing another player get punched like that.

"It's not very common," said the player. It's not very common. I have been in the league for 16 years and have never seen that before. You hear about it with Bobby Portis but there isn't anything happening every year. Something like that is very rare.

It's not our thing." It was part of our daily conversation because we've watched the videos. We all have opinions, but mine don't matter. The thing is what it is.

During his time in the NBA, Irving said he had seen similar incidents.

Irving said he's used to it. I'm used to it. I've been in sports for a long time. I am used to it. For most of the time, there's not a lot of surprises. I've seen it with my dad and I've seen it in the NBA. In our league, men are very passionate about this game. Anything can happen when emotions are that high.

Protect yourself at all times, that's the number one thing. As a teammate of Jordan, we don't expect that to happen. You feel for a brother when you see something like that. We don't know because we are not Draymond. I want Draymond to get what he needs and JP to stay focused and not allow anything to distract him.

The Nets locker room has been discussing Green's punch since the video was leaked, just as it has throughout the NBA.

We can't say we haven't talked about that. It wouldn't be legit. That was a conversation in the locker room. How do I expose that and help the story? They're going to keep whatever they're doing under wraps in Golden State so we'll keep that in here.

When asked about the Warriors' proceedings, he made it clear that "it's none", as he has rebuilt his relationship with Green over time.

"I'm familiar with that group," the player said. A tight-knit group. I don't like to see that seen in the public. Hopefully they can figure that out and we can move on.